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It was amazing they survived.
They were close as a group of friends/some people dating each other, but they grew even closer after playing a killer game of Truth or Dare. They'd barely made it out, but they followed the rules and came out the other side. Severely traumatized but alive.
They were back at Markie and Olivia's, still reeling from what had happened.
No one had said anything for a few minutes. They were just lounging out in a totally non-relaxed way in the living room. Olivia sat next to Markie who was next to Lucas. Brad, Tyson and Penelope were on the other couch. Silently going though the memories of the events of what had transpired.
Olivia was the first to speak.
"We need so much therapy."
"So much." Markie agreed.
"Do you think they'd give us a discount if we all go at once?" Lucas asked.
"They should totally do that." Brad said.
"We can split it." Pen said, referring to however much therapy is going to cost.
"Good plan." Olivia said with a thumbs up.
"I don't do therapy." Tyson said, but Penelope looked at him. He looked at her and then back at the rest of the group. "But I might for this." He conceded.
They sat in silence some more.
"Maybe we can work on our relationships and friendships while we're there." Penelope pondered. "You know, if we're holding anything in."
"Is this about your bi-curiosity?" Tyson asked.
"Maybe." Penelope commented.
Tyson smirked.
"Yeah, we should take this as an opportunity to talk about things. Really open up and talk about... Important stuff." Lucas said, glancing around the group. He shares a brief glance with Olivia.
"Yeah." Olivia said.
"Apparently getting traumatized by a killer game is a good reason to go to therapy and also talk about other stuff." Brad commented.
Tyson laughed. "That therapist is going to have a field day."
"Or find us really interesting." Penelope ventured.
"Oh, they'll definitely find us interesting. Or really messed up." Olivia said.
"Probably messed up." Markie said. "Once we tell them about the game."
Brad cringed outwardly. "No!" The tone of his voice placing blame on Markie.
It took a second, but the rest of them followed suit.
"Markie!" Lucas complained.
"What the hell, Markie!" Tyson yelled.
"I was winning!" Pen whined.
"I'm so sorry! It was an accident!" Markie said.
"Who's gonna say it?" Olivia asked the room.
Lucas sighed. "I'll take one for the team. I... " He paused. "Lost the Game."
Everyone else groaned while Markie apologized again.
-
"You what?" The therapist asked.
"Would like a discount." Lucas said on behalf of the group, who were standing behind him.
It was therapist number four they were at.
She sighed, glancing around at the group.
"Please." Brad pleaded. "We need so much therapy."
"But we can't afford it individually." Olivia said.
"We could do like, a group session or something. Or split this two ways, three of us per session." Markie suggested.
"We're desperate." Tyson admitted.
The rest of the group turned to stare at Tyson and then turned back to the therapist. "He never admits stuff like that." Penelope said. Tyson nodded in agreement, trying to look soulful at the therapist.
"Never happens." Olivia agreed.
"That's the most open he's been in - like, ever." Brad said.
"Yeah." Lucas agreed.
"Definitely." Markie said.
Then the rest of the group tried to look soulful at the therapist too.
She sighed and relented. "Fine. Three at a time per session, that's the best I can do."
The group cheered.
The therapist questioned if she was going to regret this.
It turned out dealing with a friend group of six people talking about inter-personal and outer-personal feelings about said friend group was more complicated than Firstly: believing a killer game of Truth or Dare almost killed them and Secondly: working to help them heal through the trauma of that having actually happened.
She had her work cut out for her.
But she became a therapist for a reason and wanted to help them.
So she did.